SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4300-3
The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) has surpassed 21% with the donor polymer D18, yet its processing from non-halogenated solvents like ortho-xylene (o-XY) remains inefficient due to uncontrolled film formation kinetics. Here, we systematically synthesize D18 polymers with molecular weights ranging from 41.6 kDa to 70.9 kDa to modulate crystallization kinetics. In-situ film drying studies reveal that lower molecular weights accelerate solidification, leading to excessive aggregation, while higher molecular weights slow it, causing insufficient phase separation. A medium molecular weight (D18-M) achieves a balanced crystallization rate, promoting favorable morphology and yielding a PCE of 20.55% with L8-BO as acceptor—one of the highest reported for non-halogenated solvent-processed OSCs. Energy loss analysis indicates that although low-molecular-weight polymers exhibit higher intrinsic luminescence, the blend film's emission is governed by exciton environment, which is dictated by morphology. This work underscores the critical role of molecular weight in controlling film formation and morphology, offering a simple yet effective strategy for high-efficiency, environmentally friendly OSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3828-y
The rapid development of halogen-free solvent-processed organic solar cells (OSCs) has been enabled by side-chain modification on small molecular acceptors, yet the structure-property relationship between inner/outer chain lengths and device performance remains unclear. This study systematically investigates five non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) with varied side-chain positions and architectures, clarifying the effects of inner versus outer modifications on energy level distribution, film morphology, and carrier dynamics. Notably, longer alkyl chains are not always superior; excessive solubility reduces molecular packing order. The optimized PM6:BTP-TO12 blend achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.2%. Furthermore, ternary OSCs incorporating BTP-TO12 as a guest material reach a remarkable PCE of 19.5%, enhancing the performance of L8-BO-based devices processed with green solvents. This improvement is attributed to the low energy loss and well-controlled aggregation behavior of BTP-TO12 in environmentally friendly toluene. These findings establish a design guideline for side-chain engineering in green-solvent-processed OSCs, achieving state-of-the-art performance and advancing scalable, eco-compatible photovoltaic technologies.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3558-4
The development of advanced titanium alloys capable of operating above 600 °C remains a critical challenge for aerospace propulsion systems, where conventional Ti alloys suffer from insufficient high-temperature strength and microstructural instability. Here, we propose a computationally driven design strategy for titanium-based medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) that integrates thermodynamic phase prediction with mechanistically informed strength modeling, enabling systematic exploration of the Ti-Nb-Al-Cr quaternary system. The optimized Ti70Nb10Al15Cr5 MEA exhibits exceptional performance metrics: 18% room-temperature ductility (as-cast), a yield strength of 520.7 MPa at 650 °C (post-aging), and an ultralow density of 4.76 g/cm3 (45% lighter than Inconel 718). Microstructural characterization reveals a metastable single-phase BCC structure in the as-cast state, which transforms into a BCC/Ti3Al dual-phase system upon aging, with temperature-dependent precipitate morphology and phase stability. The alloy demonstrates superior high-temperature strength retention up to 900 °C (>80 MPa yield strength), outperforming commercial titanium alloys (e.g., Ti-1100, TG6) and bridging the performance gap between conventional Ti alloys and nickel-based superalloys. This work establishes a multi-criteria design paradigm for entropy-engineered alloys, offering a viable pathway to lightweight, high-temperature structural materials for next-generation aerospace applications.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202507064
This study investigates pollutant removal characteristics and kinetic behaviors in sewage networks, and analyzes their impact on the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N, as COD/TN) of influent to wastewater treatment plants. Source water quality sampling at drainage outlets revealed spatial and temporal variations in C/N, with domestic sewage exhibiting higher C/N than industrial sewage, and diurnal peaks reaching 6.92 versus 4.71 during off-peak hours. Using a pilot-scale adjustable sewage network system in Kunshan, experiments were conducted under high (0.491 m·s−1) and low (0.089 m·s−1) flow velocities, monitoring pollutant removal over 144 hours. Pseudo-first-order kinetics were applied to model COD and TN removal. Results showed that COD (including SCOD and PCOD), BOD5, and SS achieved approximately 80% removal within 144 h, with higher removal at low flow velocity. TN, NH3-N, and TP exhibited lower overall removal rates. Kinetic fitting revealed that COD removal rate constants (kCOD) were significantly higher than those for TN (kTN), and both decreased with increasing flow velocity: at low velocity, kCOD=0.0167 h−1 and kTN=0.0029 h−1; at high velocity, kCOD=0.0127 h−1 and kTN=0.0020 h−1. Simulations based on actual source pollutant concentrations indicated that the time for C/N to drop to the denitrification critical value of 4.50 was 12.24 h at high velocity, but shortened to 9.49 h at low velocity. These findings demonstrate that increasing flow velocity effectively retards the decline of C/N. Therefore, regulating network flow velocity to reduce hydraulic retention time is a key strategy for maintaining adequate C/N at the terminal and ensuring denitrification efficiency in wastewater treatment plants.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025121602
This study characterized the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a physical examination population in Shenzhen and evaluated its impact on thyroid function. Serum samples from 368 residents were analyzed for eight PBDE congeners using atmospheric pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (APGC-MS/MS). The median concentration of ∑8PBDEs was 10.2 ng·g⁻¹ lipid weight (lw), ranging from 0.13 to 2089.4 ng·g⁻¹ lw, with BDE-209 predominating (59.7% of total). Multiple linear regression revealed that a 1.7-fold increase in serum BDE-153 was associated with a 0.4% increase in free triiodothyronine (FT3) (P<0.05), while a 1.7-fold increase in BDE-183 was associated with a 0.9% decrease in total triiodothyronine (T3) and a 0.7% decrease in FT3 (P<0.05). Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) indicated a negative correlation between mixed PBDE exposure and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at high exposure levels. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression showed that mixed exposure was associated with decreased T3 levels and T3/FT3 ratio, with BDE-153 and BDE-183 as the primary contributors. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure may adversely affect thyroid function and disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis, with BDE-183 and BDE-153 playing key roles. This study provides a scientific basis for PBDE health risk assessment and thyroid protection.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024112703
This study investigated air pollution and associated health risks in two underground parking garages located in educational and commercial districts of Nanjing, China. Concentrations of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were monitored. NMHC levels ranged from 0.35–0.55 mg·L−1 (as C) in Garage A and 0.36–1.75 mg·L−1 (as C) in Garage B, peaking during evening rush hours. A total of 23 VOC species were identified, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, dichloromethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane. Benzene series compounds constituted over 90% and 70% of total VOCs (TVOCs) in Garages A and B, respectively. Daily average TVOC concentrations were 146.0 μg·m−3 (weekday) and 49.7 μg·m−3 (weekend) in Garage A, and 2398.1 μg·m−3 and 3401.6 μg·m−3 in Garage B. Maximum CO concentrations reached 10.1 mg·m−3 and 12.6 mg·m−3, exceeding the Chinese indoor standard of 10 mg·m−3 (1-h). NOx levels also exceeded standards. Non-carcinogenic hazard indices (HI) were 0.03 and 0.18, below the EPA threshold of 1. However, carcinogenic risks reached Level II and III, with primary contributors being benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and naphthalene in Garage A, and ethylbenzene, benzene, and 1,2-dichloroethane in Garage B. The findings indicate potential health threats to garage users, necessitating enhanced ventilation and exposure mitigation.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024102403
The rapid combustion of soot at low temperatures is critical for diesel engine cold-start emission control. This study investigates the effects of water vapor (H2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) on electricity-pulse-sparked catalysis (EPSC) for soot combustion over a ceramic filter paper-based potassium-supported antimony-doped tin oxide (K/ATO/CP) monolithic catalyst. Under EPSC with 2000 J pulses, the presence of H2O and NOx adversely affected soot combustion performance, yet average reaction rates remained high at 12.0 μmol·gcat−1·s−1 and 9.53 μmol·gcat−1·s−1, respectively, exceeding conventional thermal catalysis (<8 μmol·gcat−1·s−1). In situ Raman and concentration profiles revealed that electricity pulses promote rapid H2O desorption, effectively alleviating H2O poisoning and restoring catalyst activity. In contrast, NOx adsorption forms stable nitrates (e.g., KNO3) that desorb slower than the soot combustion process, leading to incomplete recovery of activity. These findings highlight the importance of adsorbate desorption kinetics in EPSC and suggest that using weakly basic alkaline-earth metals (e.g., Mg, Ca, Sr) with lower nitrate decomposition temperatures could mitigate NOx poisoning. The results provide guidance for advancing EPSC technology in hybrid vehicle exhaust aftertreatment systems.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3928-4
Circularly polarized afterglow (CPA) materials provide an advanced optical signature to light emission, offering great potential for advanced photonic technologies. However, practical implementation remains challenging due to the lack of satisfactory performance, that is, high luminescence dissymmetry factor (g_CPA), long visualization time, and good processability. Here, we develop processable, full-color CPA materials composed of cholesteric liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs) and inorganic phosphors embedded in polymers, achieving a high g_CPA value of up to 0.74 and a long visualization time of 7 min. The materials are constructed with a bilayer structure comprising CLCPs and inorganic luminophors such as Y2O2S:Eu,Mg,Ti, SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy, and Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu. The CLCPs are synthesized from polymerizable liquid crystal monomer RM257, chiral dopants R/S5011, dipropylamine, photoinitiator Irgacure 651, cross-linker PETMP, and chain extender. The resulting materials exhibit excellent circularly polarized optics, enabling the implementation of circular polarization differential imaging (CPDI), where images are generated by subtracting two images captured through left- and right-handed circularly polarized filters. This work demonstrates the unique application of CPA in imaging, opening a new pathway for the use of purely inorganic solid-state luminophors in chiral functional materials.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3742-5
Nematic liquid crystal elastomers (NLCEs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties and diverse deformation modes, while cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) as photonic crystals (PCs) possess superior optical performance and intelligent response characteristics. Combining these two elastomers into a monolithic material is a challenging yet promising endeavor. Here, we designed and synthesized a new diselenide-bonded molecule (DSeAc), whose lower bond energy between selenium atoms endows it with excellent bond exchange ability. Consequently, two LCE matrices containing DSeAc molecules can achieve seamless bonding under mild conditions via dynamic diselenide bond exchange. By integrating a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film, we enable the integration of two functional components, whose functional characteristics can be tailored as required. This function block combination strategy offers a promising pathway for developing smart materials with complex functions, showing great potential in information storage, anti-counterfeiting, and biomimetics.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606007
Cobalt-aluminum spinel metal oxides derived from hydrotalcite were synthesized via hydrothermal, coprecipitation, and sol-gel methods, and their catalytic performance for NO oxidation was systematically evaluated. Characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), O2 temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and Raman spectroscopy revealed that the synthesis method significantly influences the surface Co2+/Co3+ ratio, which in turn modulates the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. The hydrothermally synthesized catalyst (CoAlO-H) exhibited the highest density of surface oxygen vacancies, leading to enhanced adsorption and activation of gaseous oxygen and superior NO oxidation activity compared to coprecipitation (CoAlO-C) and sol-gel (CoAlO-S) counterparts. Mechanistic studies using NO-TPD, NO+O2-TPD, and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) identified nitrates as key intermediates. Notably, CoAlO-C and CoAlO-S followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) mechanism, whereas CoAlO-H operated via both L-H and Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanisms. The exceptional performance of CoAlO-H is attributed to its abundant surface oxygen vacancies, high surface oxygen mobility, and low decomposition temperature of reaction intermediates. These findings provide a rational basis for designing efficient non-precious metal catalysts for NO oxidation in diesel exhaust aftertreatment.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60638-X
The extensive emission of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2 and CH4, has contributed to intensified global warming. Dry reforming of methane (DRM, CH4 + CO2 → 2CO + 2H2) offers a pathway for the synergistic utilization of these two major greenhouse gases, presenting important implications for both environmental protection and energy sustainability. However, the catalysts still face challenges such as carbon deposition and sintering of active metals, which adversely affect the catalytic performance and long-term stability. Oxygen vacancies, which are common lattice defects in metal oxides, have been demonstrated to improve the DRM performance by modulating the surface and interfacial properties of the catalysts. This review systematically summarizes research progresses in DRM over the past decade, outlines the major challenges and emphasizes the critical roles of oxygen vacancies in suppressing carbon deposition and inhibiting metal sintering. Furthermore, the mechanisms through which oxygen vacancies influence DRM reactions are discussed, combined with their formation pathways and regulation strategies. These insights provide essential theoretical foundations for the design and synthesis of highly efficient and stable DRM catalysts.
Journal of Fuel Chemistry and Technology•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5813(26)60683-4
The catalytic conversion of C1 molecules (e.g., CO, CO2) is pivotal for sustainable C1 chemistry and low-carbon transformation. A profound understanding of microscopic reaction mechanisms requires systematic theoretical and experimental data. This study constructs a computational dataset for C1 molecular catalytic conversion over iron-based catalysts, focusing on Fe5C2 and systematically integrating multidimensional information on adsorption, dissociation, and formation reactions across crystal surfaces (001, 111, 510). The dataset comprises 690 directories and 1961 files, including 96 configurations for Fe5C2(001), 93 for Fe5C2(111), and 472 for Fe5C2(510). It covers adsorbed states (e.g., COH, H2), dissociated states (e.g., CO under 2H conditions), and formation states (e.g., CH/CH3 under 2H and H2O conditions). A standardized hierarchical storage system categorizes reaction types, crystal surfaces, and structural parameters. This dataset serves as a benchmark for validating quantum chemical methods and provides critical data support for catalyst design and reaction pathway optimization by uncovering coupling effects of crystal surfaces and reaction mechanisms. The data are publicly available via DOI: 10.57760/sciencedb.34259.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025032704
Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a key component of the anti-COVID drug Lianhua Qingwen, is recalcitrant to biodegradation and tends to bioaccumulate, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Conventional water treatment methods are inadequate for its removal. This study investigated the degradation of CGA using a magnetic field coupled Fe-C activated persulfate (MF/Fe-C/PS) advanced oxidation process. The degradation efficiencies of Fe-C, PS, Fe-C/PS, and MF/Fe-C/PS systems were compared, and the dominant reactive species and their contributions were identified. The effects of initial pH, persulfate (PS) concentration, Fe-C dosage, and inorganic anions on degradation kinetics were examined, along with the degradation pathway and disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation potential. Results showed that MF/Fe-C/PS achieved 99% degradation of CGA within 60 min under optimal conditions: pH=3, PS concentration 1.5 mmol·L−1, and Fe-C dosage 0.4 g·L−1. Coexisting Cl−, Br−, and I− inhibited CGA oxidation to varying degrees, as did natural organic matter (FA and BAS). The reactive species SO4−·, ·OH, and 1O2 contributed 41.6%, 30.5%, and 27.9%, respectively. Degradation mechanisms included hydrolysis, dehydroxylation, decarboxylation, and benzene ring cleavage. Pre-oxidation by MF/Fe-C/PS significantly reduced the DBP formation potential during subsequent chlorination/chloramination. Energy per order (EE/O) analysis indicated favorable economic efficiency.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607006
This study evaluates the global warming potential (GWP) of three typical air pollution control device (APCD) configurations in municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration under ultra-low emission standards. The configurations are APCD1 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF), APCD2 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF+SCR+WS), and APCD3 (SNCR+SDS+DS+ACI+FF+WS+SCR). Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to quantify GWP. Results indicate that APCD3 exhibits the highest GWP due to increased electricity consumption, yet it achieves the lowest pollutant emissions among the three. APCD1 shows the highest NOx emissions, contributing significantly to GWP, and requires technological upgrades. APCD2 consumes more resources but does not proportionally reduce emissions, suggesting inefficiencies. Electricity consumption is the dominant factor influencing GWP across all processes; reducing electricity use and improving energy efficiency are critical for mitigating environmental impact. The study recommends further research on CO2 reduction strategies and adoption of more efficient DeNOx technologies to align MSW incineration with ultra-low emission and low-carbon goals.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3941-2
The precise and directed assembly of multicomponent aggregates remains a central challenge in materials chemistry, particularly the integration of neutral clusters. This study introduces a 'cation-mediated co-crystallization' strategy to overcome electrostatic assembly barriers between neutral aluminum molecular rings and polyoxometalates (POMs). By controllably functionalizing the rings with cationic moieties, the approach bypasses traditional 'ion-pair' limitations, enabling incorporation of diverse neutral clusters. The strategy exhibits structural extensibility, with cationic sites adjustable on ring exteriors or interiors, and potential extension to various polyanionic systems. The resulting hybrid materials demonstrate outstanding solution processability. When incorporated as dielectric dopants in a polymer matrix, they achieve a synergistic '1+1>2' effect: aluminum rings contribute high capacitance density (~11.19) and low dielectric loss (~0.03), while POMs provide high breakdown strength (~740 MV m−1). This work establishes a paradigm for directed macroscopic functional assembly via molecular-level cluster interaction 'encoding'.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4051-x
Graphite lubricants are critical for high-quality and high-efficiency drawing of refractory metal wires, yet inadequate dispersion stability frequently challenges their practical application. Inspired by the bio-surfactant synergic mechanism that combines different bio-surfactants to collectively reduce surface energy and friction, a binary anionic surfactant system comprising sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and sodium lignosulfonate (SL) was engineered to enhance dispersion and stability via a synergistic effect. The synergistic parameter β was calculated to be −2.34, indicating strong synergism. The resulting graphite lubricants maintained homogeneous dispersion for up to 60 days. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the synergistic effects originate from steric hindrance, electrostatic repulsion, π-π stacking, and hydrogen bonding. These hierarchical secondary interactions collectively increased the interfacial formation energy at the graphite/surfactant/water tri-phase interface, thereby effectively wetting particle powders and enhancing stability. During metal wire drawing, the graphite lubricants reduced the friction coefficient between the die and metal wires to 0.06, ultimately enabling drawn tungsten wires with superior surface integrity, expanded loop diameter, and enhanced tensile strength relative to single-surfactant benchmarks. This study provides experimental and theoretical guidance to design effective graphite lubricants for high-quality drawn metal wires.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4040-0
High-performance organic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals face a persistent challenge: molecular designs that enhance hyperpolarizability often crystallize into centrosymmetric or nonpolar arrangements, suppressing bulk second-order response, while simultaneously reducing optical bandgaps, enforcing a trade-off between nonlinearity and transparency. We report a chirality-driven polar lattice engineering strategy that couples molecular asymmetry with directional intermolecular interactions to promote polar ordering. A binaphthyl-based chromophore (S-3) crystallizes in the polar space group P2₁, exhibiting strong second-harmonic generation (~3.53 × KDP), wide transparency (3.91 eV), phase-matchable birefringence (Δn = 0.15), high laser damage threshold (742.6 MW cm⁻²), and thermal stability up to 210 °C. Theoretical calculations reveal a 69% enhancement in first-order hyperpolarizability (β_tot) relative to the unfunctionalized derivative, with a net intramolecular electron transfer of 0.16 e⁻ from the chiral scaffold to the benzoate acceptor. Crucially, enantiomeric crystals exhibit identical NLO responses, confirming that bulk nonlinearity is governed by engineered lattice polarity, not molecular handedness. This work establishes chirality as an active tool for crystal engineering and provides a general design paradigm for high-performance organic NLO materials.